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Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. The city was located in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region, and was almost surrounded by non-Maya peoples.〔Sharer & Traxler 2006, p.339.〕 In this fertile valley now lies a city of about 3000, a small airport, and a winding road.〔Adam Risius 1999.〕 Copán was occupied for more than two thousand years, from the Early Preclassic period to the Postclassic. The city developed a distinctive sculptural style within the tradition of the lowland Maya, perhaps to emphasize the Maya ethnicity of the city's rulers.〔 The city has a historical record that spans the greater part of the Classic period and has been reconstructed in detail by archaeologists and epigraphers.〔 Copán was a powerful city ruling a vast kingdom within the southern Maya area.〔Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp.339, 476.〕 The city suffered a major political disaster in AD 738 when Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil, one of the greatest kings in Copán's dynastic history, was captured and executed by his former vassal, the king of Quiriguá.〔Martin & Grube 60012, pp.203–205. Looper 2003, p.76. Miller 1999, pp.134–35.〕 This unexpected defeat resulted in a 17-year hiatus at the city, during which time Copán may have been subject to Quiriguá in a reversal of fortunes.〔Martin & Grube 2000, pp.206–207.〕 A significant portion of the eastern side of the acropolis has been eroded away by the Copán River, although the river has since been diverted in order to protect the site from further damage.〔 ==Etymology== It is likely the ancient name of Copán was Oxwitik , "Three Witik" (the meaning of ''witik'' remains obscure).〔Stuart 1996.〕〔Stuart and Houston 1994, pp. 23, 25.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Copán」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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